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State Representative Rick Hansen
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-6828
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
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Rock Island Bridge in IGH Named One of State’s “10 Most Endangered Historic Places”
ST. PAUL, MN - On May 7, 2009, the Rock Island Swing Bridge in Inver Grove Heights was named one of Minnesota’s “10 Most Endangered Historic Places" by the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota. It is set for demolition on June 16, 2009.
But efforts are underway to save the bridge. “It’s like the ending to a ‘Rocky’ movie,” said Representative Joe Atkins. “Everything has gone wrong for the bridge until now. But lots of things have gone right lately. It’s just a question of whether it’s too little, too late.”
A Long, Colorful History
Built in 1894, the Rock Island Swing Bridge, more recently known as the JAR toll bridge, was the longest swing span bridge in the world at that time and is possibly the only remaining swing bridge in the US that was uniquely constructed to carry trains on an upper level deck and passenger traffic on the lower level deck. It has a storied history. For example, John Dillinger used the bridge to elude the police in the 1930’s. It was also Minnesota’s only toll bridge when it was in use, charging patrons a dime to cross.
On October 25, 2008, with just four days notice, the National Park Service hosted an “Open Bridge” event to gauge the public’s interest and enthusiasm for preserving the historic bridge. 50-100 people were expected. Over 1,000 people turned out.
Re-Use or Removal?
Closed to all use since 1999, Dakota and Washington County officials studied reuse options for the bridge. Specifically, 600 feet of the western approach on the Inver Grove side was identified for possible reuse in the form of pedestrian walkways, overlooks, interpretative displays, fishing access, and a trailhead for the Mississippi River Regional Trail. Nothing like it would exist anywhere on the 2,320-mile length of the Mississippi River. More information and renderings can be viewed at: http://www.nps.gov/miss/parknews/upload/IGH_Swing_BridgeOPT.pdf. The bridge is adjacent to the site of Inver Grove Heights' future Heritage Park.
Unfortunately, because of questions about ultimate ownership and maintenance issues, the counties’ exploration of reuse ceased in late 2008, and the counties opted to proceed with demolition of the bridge starting in early 2009. Atkins and others asked the counties to allow supporters until June 2009, to try to figure out a way to save the Inver Grove portion of the bridge. Since that time, several things have occurred:
1.The City of Inver Grove Heights has expressed a willingness to own and the maintain the bridge, as well pledging some of the funds to help restore it;
2.The City has applied for Transportation Enhancement funds to restore the bridge and has a good chance of receiving those funds;
3.The State will likely provide some funds to assist with the design for the restoration;
4. A number of entities have expressed a willingness to help with funding and design, including the National Park Service, the Friends of the Mississippi River, the Preservation Alliance, and various philanthropic organizations.
These actions address several of the concerns that led the counties to decide to demolish the Rock Island Bridge.
“It really seems like all that is necessary is the time to move these efforts forward,” Atkins observed. Nonetheless, the IGH section of the bridge that could be restored remains set for demolition, starting on June 16. Lacking at this point seems to be public awareness and pressure to delay the demolition. The “10 Most Endangered” designation may begin to change that.
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